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Following the use of the wet AMD drug Avastin in PCT's around the country, Novartis, the manufacturer of the registered and approved alternative Lucentis has filed for a Judicial Review of the drugs use in PCT's due to its concerns that patient safety is being compromised due to the continued use of this unlicenced equivalent. In a similar statement following on from the move, the Macular Disease Society has called for the drug Avastin to be tested and appraised so that it is clear whether or not the drug should be used at all.
Although this may sound like the latest in a long line of manufacturers pressing their products over others and calling for the query of patents and so on, Novartis are completely right in regards to the licencing state of the two drugs designed for use in treating the wet form of Age Related Macular Degeneration. Their own product Lucentis is available and licenced for use in regards to this eye condition, and the company has expressed concerns that Avastin, which does not have the same appraisal is being used, and often promoted due to its cost effectiveness in some cases. This route concerns Novartis who claim the unlicenced drug could pose a harm to patients.
Although the Macular Disease Society recognise the problem, they are saddened by the stance taken by Novartis and have called for the situation to be cleared one way or the other so that it can either be used for a range of eye conditions or removed completely. This lack of clarity is also prevalent amongst clinical specialists, with some happily using and recommending it, whilst others are not convinced by the drugs safety and effectiveness. To remove this uncertainty, MDS hopes that the product is appraised as soon as possible so that it can either continue and expand its use, or remove it due to a lack of patient safety.